Method of indicating additional character combination choices on a handheld electronic device and associated apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method and associated apparatus for indicating additional character combination choices from a disambiguation function on a handheld electronic device.

This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/903,909, filed Oct. 13, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference, which is a continuation of patented application Ser. No. 11/555,002, filed Oct. 31, 2006, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,830,364, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to handheld electronic devices that employ a text disambiguation function and, more particularly, to an improved method of displaying character combination choices that are generated by a text disambiguation function on the handheld electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples of such handheld devices include, for instance, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, and the like. Many handheld electronic devices also feature wireless communication capability, although many such handheld devices are stand-alone devices that are functional without communication with other devices.

Such handheld electronic devices are generally intended to be portable, and thus are of a relatively compact configuration in which keys and other input structures often perform multiple functions under certain circumstances or may otherwise have multiple aspects or features assigned thereto. With advances in technology, handheld electronic devices are built to have progressively smaller form factors yet have progressively greater numbers of applications and features resident thereon. As a practical matter, the keys of a keypad can only be reduced to a certain small size before the keys become relatively unusable.

One way of providing numerous letters in a small space has been to provide a “reduced keyboard” in which multiple letters, symbols, and/or digits, and the like, are assigned to any given key. For example, a touch-tone telephone includes a reduced keyboard by providing twelve keys, of which ten have digits thereon, and of these ten keys, eight have letters assigned thereto. For instance, one of the keys includes the digit “2” as well as the letters “A”, “B”, and “C”. Since a single actuation of such a key potentially could be intended by the user to refer to any of the letters “A”, “B”, and “C”, and potentially could also be intended to refer to the digit “2”, the input (by actuation of the key) generally is an ambiguous input and is in need of some type of disambiguation in order to be useful for text entry purposes.

In order to enable a user to make use of the multiple letters, digits, and the like on any given key in a reduced keyboard, a software-based text disambiguation function is utilized. In such a system, a user typically presses keys to which one or more characters have been assigned, generally pressing each key one time for each desired letter, and the disambiguation software attempts to disambiguate the intended input. One example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/931,281, entitled “Handheld Electronic Device With Text Disambiguation,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As is known, many such systems display an output component as the user is typing (pressing keys) that includes a list of possible intended input character strings (i.e., what the user intended while typing) that are generated by the disambiguation software.

In many current software-based text disambiguation systems, an output component, which includes the list of possible intended inputs that is generated by the disambiguation software, is output on the display of the handheld electronic device. A problem arises when the length of a possible intended input is so large that the remaining possible intended inputs cannot fit on the display. In these situations, the list is typically split and the user must take some additional action, such as scrolling a thumbwheel or pressing a predetermined function button, to move from one possible intended input to the next possible intended input. The drawback with current systems, however, is that the indicators, which indicate that there are additional possible intended inputs beyond the one possible intended input that is currently being displayed, are typically located in multiple locations on the display thereby making it difficult for a user to determine whether there are additional possible intended inputs and where the additional possible intended inputs are located in relation to the possible intended input that is currently being displayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the disclosed and claimed concept can be gained from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the improved handheld electronic device in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept;

FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of the handheld electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B each depict an output that can be generated on the improved handheld electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts another output that can be generated on the improved handheld electronic device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of an improved method in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept.

DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the phrase “a number of” or variations thereof means one or an integer greater than one.

As used herein, the phrase “alphanumeric” or variations thereof shall broadly refer to a letter, such as a Latin letter, and/or a digit such as, without limitation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0, and combinations thereof.

Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, upper, lower, left, right, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, above, beneath, clockwise, counterclockwise and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein.

One embodiment of a handheld electronic device 2 in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept is depicted generally in FIG. 1. The handheld electronic device 2 of FIG. 1 is depicted schematically in FIG. 2. The handheld electronic device 2 includes a housing 4 upon which are disposed a processor unit that includes an input apparatus 6, an output apparatus 8, a processor 10, a memory 12, and a wireless transceiver 13. The processor 10 may be, for instance, and without limitation, a microprocessor (μP) and is responsive to inputs from the input apparatus 6 and provides output signals to the output apparatus 8. The processor 10 also interfaces with the memory 12 which, as will be discussed in greater detail below, contains one or more routines that are used to implement the disclosed and claimed concept. The processor 10 and the memory 12 together form a processor apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, the input apparatus 6 includes a keypad 14 and a navigational input member 16. The keypad 14 is in the exemplary form of a reduced QWERTY keyboard including a plurality of keys 18 that serve as input members. Many of the keys 18 each have a plurality of characters assigned thereto. The keypad 14 also includes an <ALT> key 20, an <ENTER> key 22, and a <SPACE> key 23. It is noted, however, that the keypad 14 may be of other configurations, such as an AZERTY keyboard, a QWERTY keyboard, a QWERTZ keyboard or another keyboard arrangement, whether or not reduced, and whether presently known or unknown.

The keys 18 are located on a front face 24 of the housing 4, and the navigational input member 16, which is in the exemplary form a trackball 36, is disposed on the front face 24 of the housing 4 as well. The trackball 36 is rotatable in various directions thereby allowing for the navigation of the cursor 32, which is displayed on the output apparatus 8, in various directions including up, down, left, right, and any combination thereof. Moreover, the trackball 36 can also be depressed to provide a selection or other input based upon the current location of the cursor 32. Accordingly, rotation of the trackball 36 can navigate the cursor 32 over a particular program icon 34, while depression of the trackball 36 can launch the program. It should be noted that a trackwheel (not shown), which can be disposed on a side 26 of the housing 4, can be used in lieu of the trackball 36. Similar to the trackball, the trackwheel can serve as input member since the trackwheel is capable of being rotated in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction as well as being depressed. Rotation of the trackwheel can provide a navigation or other input, while depression of the trackwheel can provide a selection or other input. For example, if a cursor 32 is located over a given program icon 34, that program will be launched when the trackwheel is depressed.

Referring to FIG. 2, the memory 12 can be any of a variety of types of internal and/or external storage media such as, without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), and the like that provide a storage register for data storage such as in the fashion of an internal storage area of a computer, and can be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the memory 12 is in electronic communication with the processor 10. The memory 12 additionally can include one or more routines depicted generally with the numeral 38 for the processing of data. The routines 38 can be in any of a variety of forms such as, without limitation, software, firmware, and the like.

The output apparatus 8 includes a display 40 upon which can be provided an output 42. A number of exemplary outputs 42 are depicted on the display 40 in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 4. Each exemplary output 42 includes a text component 44 and a variant component 46. As can be seen from these figures, the variant component 46 extends substantially horizontally across the display 40. This, however, is not meant to be limiting since the variant component 46 can also extend across the display 40 substantially vertically or can be otherwise disposed. Preferably, the variant component 46 is located generally in the vicinity of the text component 44. Referring to FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 4, the variant component 46 includes a selectable output 48 that can be selected by the user for possible output on the output apparatus 8 of the handheld electronic device 2. The display 40 also includes a caret (cursor) 50 in the text component 44 which depicts generally where the next output will be displayed.

As stated above, a shortcoming of current disambiguation systems is that indicators, which indicate that there are additional possible intended inputs beyond the one possible intended input that is currently being displayed, are typically located in multiple locations on the display 40. Accordingly, the user's ability to enter data into the handheld electronic device 2 is hindered due to the fact that the user might not recognize that there are additional possible intended inputs available and/or not know where the additional possible intended inputs may be found.

The disclosed and claimed concept enables the handheld electronic device 2 to overcome this shortcoming by having a routine 38 that is adapted to display a single visual indicator which is located at a single location on the display 40. The visual indicator not only represents that additional subsets of the list of possible intended inputs (character combination choices) are displayable on the output apparatus 8 of the handheld electronic device 2 in response to the handheld electronic device 2 detecting a navigational input in a particular direction, but it also represents the direction in which the additional subsets may be found.

By way of example, referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 3A, and 3B, when the language that is currently operative on the handheld electronic device is German and the user actuates the keys 18 on the handheld electronic device 2 that correspond to “mannerfantasien”, the disambiguation function of the handheld electronic device 2 will generate a list of three possible intended inputs in response to the detected ambiguous key sequence. The three possible intended inputs are as follows: (1) männerfantasien (hereinafter, referred to as the first subset), (2) männredabyssieb (hereinafter, referred to as the second subset), and (3) männredabyssien (hereinafter, referred to as the third subset). The variant component 46, however, is unable to contain all three possible intended inputs simultaneously due to the length of each possible intended input. Accordingly, the handheld electronic device 2 will display only one possible intended input (i.e., a subset of the three possible inputs) within the variant component 46 at any one time. It should be noted, however, that despite FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 4 depicting one possible intended input, in its entirety, being displayed within the variant component 36, there may be instances when only a portion of the possible intended input is displayed within the variant component 46.

Continuing with FIG. 3, upon detecting the ambiguous key sequence that corresponds with “mannerfantasien”, the handheld electronic device 2 will display “männerfantasien” within the variant component 46 as well as in the text component 44. As stated above, the variant component 46 is unable to simultaneously contain all of the possible intended inputs. Therefore, in order to assist the user in data entry, a first visual indicator 52 is displayed in the variant component 46 that allows the user to ascertain whether or not there are additional subsets available and where the additional subsets may be found. Moreover, the first visual indicator 52 is also displayed at a single location 53 for easy reference by the user. It should be noted that despite FIG. 3 depicting the first visual indicator 52 as being located in the variant component 46, the first visual indicator 52 can be located anywhere on the display 40. The first visual indicator 52 represents that additional possible intended inputs are displayable within the variant component 46, in place of the first subset, if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input in a first direction. In the embodiment that is depicted in FIG. 3, the first visual indicator 52 is a graphic 54 having a pointing portion 56 that points towards the first direction. In this particular embodiment, the pointing portion 56 of the first visual indicator 52 points towards the “right”. Accordingly, when the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input from the trackball 36 to the “right” or a clockwise rotation of a trackwheel (if a trackwheel is being used as the navigational input member 16), the handheld electronic device 2 will replace “männerfantasien” with the second subset, “männredabyssieb”, in addition to replacing the first visual indicator 52 with a second visual indicator 58.

Continuing with FIG. 3A, as can be seen from this figure, “männerfantasien” has been replaced with “männredabyssieb” in the variant component 46 as well as in the text component 44. Moreover, the first visual indicator 52 has been replaced with the second visual indicator 58 which comprises a first pointing portion 60 which points towards the first direction, and a second pointing portion 62 which points towards a second direction. In this particular embodiment, the first pointing portion 60 of the second visual indicator 58 points towards the “right” while the second pointing portion 62 of the second visual indicator 58 points towards the “left”. Moreover, in this particular embodiment, the first and second portions 60,62 are interconnected. It should be noted, however, that in other embodiments the first and second pointing portions 60,62 of the second visual indicator 58 are not interconnected (see FIG. 4). Similar to the first visual indicator 52, the first portion 60 of the second visual indicator 58 represents that additional possible intended inputs are displayable within the variant component 46 if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input in the first direction. However, unlike the first visual indicator 52, the second portion 62 of the second visual indicator 58 also represents that the first subset can be displayable within the variant component 46 if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input in a second direction. Specifically, the second visual indicator 58 represents that a third subset is displayable within the variant component 46, in place of the second subset, if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input in the first direction (i.e., to the “right”) while the first subset is displayable within the variant component 46, in place of the second subset, if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input in the second direction (i.e., to the “left”).

Upon detecting a navigational input to the “right” or a clockwise rotation of the trackwheel, the handheld electronic device 2 will display the third subset in place of the second subset. Specifically, “männredabyssieb” will be replaced with the third subset, “männredabyssien”, in both the variant component 46 and the text component 44 (see FIG. 3B). When this occurs, the second visual indicator 58 will also be replaced with a third visual indicator 64.

Alternatively, if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input to the “left” or a counterclockwise rotation of the trackwheel, then the handheld electronic device 2 will replace “mäniredabyssieb” with the first subset, “männerfantasien”, in addition to replacing the second visual indicator 58 with the first visual indicator 52.

Continuing with FIG. 3B, as can be seen from this figure, “männredabyssieb” has been replaced with the third subset, “männredabyssien”, in the variant component 46 as well as in the text component 44 because the handheld electronic device 2 detected a navigational input in the first direction. Additionally, the second visual indicator 58 has been replaced with a third visual indicator 64 which comprises a pointing portion 66 pointing towards the second direction. In this particular embodiment, the pointing portion 66 of the third visual indicator 64 points towards the “left.” The third visual indicator 64 represents that the second subset is displayable within the variant component 46 in place of the third subset if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input in the second direction. Moreover, the third visual indicator 64 also represents that “männredabyssien” is the final choice among the possible intended inputs by not having another pointing portion that points in the first direction.

Upon detecting a navigational input to the “left” or a counterclockwise rotation of the trackwheel, the handheld electronic device 2 will replace “männredabyssien” with the second subset, “männredabyssieb”, in both the variant component 46 and the text component 44 (see FIG. 3A). Additionally, the third visual indicator 64 will be replaced with the second visual indicator 58.

Alternatively, if the handheld electronic device 2 detects a navigational input to the “right” or a clockwise rotation of the trackwheel, then the handheld electronic device 2 will replace “männredabyssien” with the first subset, “männerfantasien”, in both the variant component 46 and the text component 44 in addition to replacing the third visual indicator 64 with the first visual indicator 52. In other words, a navigational input to the “right” or a clockwise rotation of the trackwheel enables the user to continuously scroll through the subsets.

It should be noted that in FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 4, a language indicator 68 is provided in the variant component 46. The language indicator is representative of a language that is currently operable on the handheld electronic device 2. In these figures, “DE” represents that German is the language that is currently operative on the handheld electronic device 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of the disclosed concept. As can be seen from this figure, the handheld electronic device 2 will detect an input at step 100. The handheld electronic device 2 will then determine whether the detected input was an alphanumeric input at step 102.

If the handheld electronic device 2 does determine at step 102 that the detected input was an alphanumeric input, then the handheld electronic device 2 will generate a number of character combination choices based on the detected alphanumeric input using the text disambiguation function of the handheld electronic device 2 at step 104. The handheld electronic device 2 will then display an output that comprises a subset of the character combination choices in addition to a first visual indicator at step 106. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the handheld electronic device 2 would display the first subset, “männerfantasien”, in addition to the first visual indicator 52 in response to determining at step 102 that the detected input was an alphanumeric input. Continuing with FIG. 5, after the output has been displayed at step 106, the handheld electronic device 2 will then go to step 100.

The handheld electronic device 2 will then detect another input at step 100. Responsive to the detecting the input, the handheld electronic device 2 will then determine whether the detected input was an alphanumeric input at step 102. If the handheld electronic device 2 determines that the detected input is not an alphanumeric input, then the handheld electronic device 2 will determine whether the detected input is a navigational input in a first direction at step 108.

If the handheld electronic device 2 does determine that the detected input is a navigational input in the first direction at step 108, then the handheld electronic device 2 will display an output that comprises the next subset of the character combination choices as well as the next visual indicator. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, the handheld electronic device 2 would display the second subset, “männredabyssieb”, in place of the first subset in addition to displaying the second visual indicator 58 in place of the first visual indicator 52. Continuing with FIG. 5, after the output has been displayed at step 110, the handheld electronic device 2 will go to step 100.

The handheld electronic device 2 will then detect yet another input at step 100. Responsive to detecting the input, the handheld electronic device 2 will determine whether the detected input was an alphanumeric input at step 102. If the handheld electronic device 2 determines that the input detected at step 102 is not an alphanumeric input, then the handheld electronic device 2 will determine whether the detected input is a navigational input in a first direction at step 108.

If the handheld electronic device 2 does determine that the detected input is a navigational input in the first direction at step 108, then the handheld electronic device 2 will display an output that comprises the next subset of the character combination choices as well as the next visual indicator. For example, referring to FIG. 3B, the handheld electronic device 2 would display the third subset, “männredabyssien”, in place of the second subset in addition to displaying the third visual indicator 64 in place of the second visual indicator 58. Continuing with FIG. 5, after the output has been displayed at step 110, the handheld electronic device 2 will go to step 100.

Alternatively, if the handheld electronic device 2 determines that the detected input is not a navigational input in the first direction at step 108, then the handheld electronic device will determine whether the detected input was a navigational input in a second direction at step 112.

If the handheld electronic device 2 does determine that the detected input is a navigational input in the second direction at step 112, then the handheld electronic device 2 will display an output that comprises the prior subset and the prior visual indicator at step 114. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, the handheld electronic device 2 would display the second subset, “männredabyssieb”, in place of the third subset in addition to displaying the second visual indicator 58 in place of the third visual indicator 64. Continuing with FIG. 5, after the output has been displayed at step 110, the handheld electronic device 2 will go to step 100.

Alternatively, if the handheld electronic device 2 determines that the detected input was not a navigational input in the second direction at step 112, then the handheld electronic device 2 will take other action such as, without limitation, determining whether the detected input was a selection input at step 116.

While specific embodiments of the disclosed and claimed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed and claimed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of enabling input on a handheld electronic device having at least one processor, comprising: generating, using the at least one processor, a set of character combination choices based, at least in part, on a first input; outputting a variant component and a first indicator, said variant component comprising a first subset of said set of character combination choices, said first indicator being representative of the availability of a second subset of said set of character combination choices in response to a first directional input; and responsive to detecting a directional input associated with said first directional input, outputting said second subset and a second indicator, said second indicator being representative of the availability of a third subset of said set of character combination choices in response to a directional input associated with said first directional input, and said second indicator also being representative of the availability of said first subset for output in response to a second directional input.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: detecting another directional input associated with said first directional input; outputting said third subset; and outputting a third indicator representative of the availability of said second subset in response to a third directional input associated with said second directional input, and said third indicator also being representative of at least a portion of said third subset being a final choice of said character combination choices.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: detecting another directional input; and outputting at least a portion of said first subset in place of at least a portion of said third subset, and outputting said first indicator.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting a language indicator representative of a language that is currently operative on said handheld electronic device.
 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising outputting said language indicator substantially adjacent an end of said variant component.
 6. The method according to claim 2, further comprising outputting said third indicator substantially adjacent an end of said third subset.
 7. The method according to claim 2, further comprising outputting as said third indicator a graphic having a pointing portion pointing associated with said second directional input corresponding to the second directional input.
 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising outputting as said first indicator a graphic having a pointing portion pointing in a first direction.
 9. A handheld electronic device, comprising; a keyboard having a plurality of input members; a display; a disambiguation function; and a processor apparatus comprising a processor and a memory in electronic communication with one another, said processor apparatus having stored therein a set of routines which, when executed on said processor, cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations comprising: generating a set of character combination choices based, at least in part, on a first input; outputting a variant component and a first indicator, said variant component comprising a first subset of said set of character combination choices, said first indicator being representative of the availability of a second subset of said set of character combination choices in response to a first directional input; and responsive to detecting a directional input associated with said first directional input, outputting said second subset and a second indicator, said second indicator being representative of the availability of a third subset of said set of character combination choices in response to a directional input associated with said first directional input, and said second indicator also being representative of the availability of said first subset for output in response to a second directional input.
 10. The handheld electronic device according to claim 9, wherein said set of routines cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising: detecting another directional input associated with said first directional input; outputting said third subset; and outputting a third indicator representative of the availability of said second subset in response to a third directional input associated with said second directional input, and said third indicator also being representative of at least a portion of said third subset being a final choice of said character combination choices.
 11. The handheld electronic device according to claim 10, wherein said set of routines cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising: detecting another directional input; and outputting at least a portion of said first subset in place of at least a portion of said third subset, and outputting said first indicator.
 12. The handheld electronic device according to claim 10, wherein said set of routines cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising: outputting said third indicator substantially adjacent an end of said third subset.
 13. The handheld electronic device according to claim 10, wherein said set of routines cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising: outputting as said third indicator a graphic having a pointing portion pointing associated with said second directional input corresponding to the second directional input.
 14. The handheld electronic device according to claim 9, wherein said set of routines cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising: outputting a language indicator representative of a language that is currently operative on said handheld electronic device.
 15. The handheld electronic device according to claim 14, wherein said set of routines cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising: outputting said language indicator substantially adjacent an end of said variant component.
 16. The handheld electronic device according to claim 9, wherein said set of routines cause said handheld electronic device to perform operations further comprising: outputting as said first indicator a graphic having a pointing portion pointing in a first direction. 